I know it is early and I know that we have a long way to go, but I thought it would be interesting and kill some time to do a mock draft with where I think the Bears will go in this years draft.
2012 Bears Mock Draft
1[20] WR Michael Floyd [Notre Dame] 6’3” 225lbs.
I know that he has his question marks with the injuries and the DUI arrests, but he seems to be cleaned up and he is dominating college football. Floyd has the size, speed and hands that the Bears are desperate for.
2[52] OG David DeCastro [Stanford] 6’5” 315lbs.
DeCastro is big and technically sound and can step in at either RG or LG and provide an upgrade over either Lance Louis or Chris Williams. DeCastro reminds me a lot of Logan Mankins in both his physical ability and his attitude on the field.
3[78] LB Tank Carder [TCU] 6’2” 235lbs.
The Bears need to start looking for a long term replacement for Brian Urlacher and they need to add immediate depth to the position. Carder is a physical leader that has enough speed to play in the Cover 2 defense.
The Bears will resign Tim Jennings as he is their best cover man and a great open field tackler. Fletcher will provide them with a backup who has the size to start and can be developed behind Peanut Tillman.
4. OT Blake DeCristopher [Virginia Tech] 6’5” 320lbs.
The Bears will resign Roberto Garza for a couple of years and they will have Chris Spencer to work behind him at C so they can continue to add young tough football players that can play multiple positions along the line.
5. LB Ramon Buchanan [Miami] 6’1” 225lbs.
The future of LB will be addressed in this draft and Buchanan is fast enough to be a Cover 2 weakside LB.
6. TE Jake Byrne [Wisconsin] 6’4” 265lbs.
Unless Kellen Davis steps up, or we are going to have to get a blocking TE that can actually block. As a big Wisconsin TE Byrne is called on frequently as a blocker.
7. S Trulon Henry [Illinios] 6’1” 215lbs.
More depth for the defense and another potential special teams pick Henry will be counted on to cover kicks as a rookie.
I really like this list, thanks for posting it. OL given some love with a couple of quality picks, including a high one. Recognition that LB depth and age is a huge problem by grabbing two. Big target and gamebreaker for Jay at the top of the draft, first top WR prospect since we grabbed Terrell (spit), even though I think our OL is that bad it's tempting to keep throwing firsts at it until it's fixed. Finally, another plus 6' guy at corner, good. Not so struck on drafting the annual Angelo safety in any round, but at least you left him until last. The thing that worries me about grabbing another blocking TE is that, with Martz hopefully gone, maybe, just maybe, a pass catching TE might end up on the wishlist of the new OC, how ironic. Finally, Clutts flashed some potential, but I'd consider going either FB, or OL again, in the garbage round instead of grabbing the S, such is the staggering lack of protection for Forte and Cutler.
The worst thing that can happen to this draft is if Angelo and/or Martz are around to influence it. Second worst is spending any kind of choice on a QB. Third would be the annual Angelo draft day boner that is the DL.